Friday, March 30, 2012

POSTMEN /MAILGUARD & MTS EXAMINATION POSTPONED

DIRECTORATE HAS ISSUED ORDERS FOR POSTPONEMENT OF POSTMAN / MAIL GUARD EXAMINATION AND DIRECT RECRUITMENT EXAMINATION FOR MULTI TASKING STAFF (MTS) SCHEDULED TO BE HELD ON 20.05.2012 INDEFINITELY, SINCE THE RECRUITMENT RULES FOR THE POSTS OF POSTMAN/MAIL GUARD AND MULTI TASKING STAFF ARE UNDER REVISION.{CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS}

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

MODEL REPRESENTATION FOR GRANT OF ONE INCREMENT

Government servants are aware that the Ministry of Finance and Railways, both have already issued orders for grant of one increment in the pre-revised pay scale to nullify the anomaly in respect of central government employees who were in receipt of pre-revised increment between February 2006 to June 2006.

A model requesting the concerned head of Office for grant of one increment and drawl of arrears is published below for ready use by the Officers:

MODEL REPRESENTATION FOR GRANT OF ONE INCREMENT

From

To,

Sir / Madam,

·Sub: Officers who were due to get heir annual increment between February to June during 2006 – Grant of additional increment as one time measure- Request for sanction and drawal of arrears – Reg.

Kind reference is invited to the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure O.M.No.10/02/2011- E.III/A dated 19th March, 2012 wherein all the central government employees who were due to get their annual increment between February to June during 2006 were granted one increment on 1.1.2006 in the pre-revised pay scale as a one time measure and there after next increment in the revised pay structure on 1.7.2006 as per Rule 10 of CCS(RP) Rules, 2008 (Copy enclosed for ready reference).

I wish to submit that my increment in pre revised pay scale was on __________ and hence, in terms of the above Office Memorandum, I am eligible for one additional increment in pre-revised pay scale as a one time measure and also eligible for next increment in the revised pay structure on 1.7.2006 as per Rule 10 of CCS(RP) Rules, 2008.

In view of above submission, I request that one additional increment may kindly be granted and my pay may please be fixed as stipulated in above O.M. and that the arrears of pay and allowance may kindly be drawn and paid to me at an early date.

GUWAHATI, March 26 – The Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) president G Sanjeeva Reddy today said that the country might see a stronger agitation than what it witnessed on February 28 this year, if steps are not taken to stop rising prices, disinvestment of profit-making PSUs and violation of labour laws. Talking to media persons, Reddy who was in the city today, said that the Union government has assured the agitating trade unions that it would sit for a talk after the Budget session of the Parliament is over.The strike of February 28 was backed by most of the country’s Central trade unions and joined by thousands of regional trade unions throughout the country, including the local trade unions and employees’ associations of Assam. “During the last month’s strike, the railway workers were kept out of its ambit, considering the problem of the common people. But, if the government does not take strong steps to check price rise, implement labour laws and consider our other reasonable demands, the employees of railways, civil aviation and all the industrial sectors along with others would go on agitation,” he said.The group of trade unions had submitted a charter of demands to the Union government demanding tighter labour laws and measures to control price rise. “Due to the increasing prices, the workers are losing their standard of living. As the private companies are paying more thrust on the creating temporary jobs rather than the permanent ones, there is no economic security for the working class,” Reddy said.The trade unions have also asked the government to supply essential goods at a controlled price through the fair price shops and stop disinvestment in profit making PSUs. It also said that the contractual system of appointment should be abolished in the regular jobs. The charter of demands also said that government should make it mandatory for the MNCs to implement the labour laws of the country for their employees also.

Monday, March 26, 2012

FEDERAL EXECUTIVE MEETING

Federal Executive meeting of NFPE was held at NFPE Office 1st Floor North Avenue Post Office Building, New Delhi on 21.03.2012. The meeting was presided by Com. D.K. Rahate, President NFPE. Meeting commenced with paying homage to the martyrs and Comrades particularly Com. M.K. Pandhe, Ex. President & General Secretary C.I.T.U. and A.K. Tiwari Ex. Circle Secretary AIPEDEU, Jharkhand Circle,K.K. Tiwari Ex. Treasurer R-3 who lost their lives during this period.

The Federal Executive meeting was inaugurated by Com. C.C. Pillai Ex. Secretary General NFPE who elaborately pointed out the working class problems being imposed by the Govt. in the form of globalization policies. Com. K. Ragavendran Ex. Secretary General NFPE and Com. Des Raj Sharma Ex. Dy. Secretary General NFPE and Com. Rajendra Prasad Ex. AGS R-3 also graced the occasion by their valuable speech.

A Draft Report was presented by Com. M. Krishnan, Secretary General NFPE on the activities during the period. He elaborately discussed all the issues related to the Postal and RMS employees and described in detail the discussions and settlement of items of Charter of Demands. He also informed that NFPE has been granted recognition by the Govt. of India and Now NFPE nominees will play their role in standing Committee and National Council JCM and will be enable to settle the issues at Govt. of India level.

THE DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING (DOPT) NEW DELHI HAS ISSUED THE COMPREHENSIVE F.A.Q. (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS) ON THE RESERVATION POLICY FOR EX SERVICE MEN AS FOLLOWS

Question 1 : What is the policy of reservation for ex-servicemen ?

ANS : The policy of reservation for Ex-servicemen is governed by the Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services and posts) Rules, 1979. These rules apply to all the Central Civil Services and Posts, Group “C” and Group “D” and the posts of the level of Assistant Commandant in all para military forces.

Question 2 : What is the percentage of resrvation provided to the ex-servicemen ?

ANSWER : Ten percent of the vacancies in the psots of the level of Assistant Commandant in all para military forces, ten percentage of the vacancies in each of the categories of Group ‘C’ and of such posts in Group ‘C’ services, including permanent vacancies filled initially on a temporary basis and temporary vacancies which are likely to be made permanent or are likely to continue for three months and more, to be filled by direct recruitment in any year are reserved for ex-servicemen;

Provided the percentage of reservation so specified for ex-servicemen in a category of post shall be increased and decreased in any one recruitment year to the extent to which the total number of vacancies reserved for ex-servicemen, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (including the carried forward reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) and for any other cateogires taken together, falls short or is in excess, as the case may be, of fifty percent of the vacancies in that category of posts filled in that year;

Provided further that in case of an increae in the reservation for the exservicement under the preceding proviso, the additional vacancies so made available for them shall be utilised first for the appointment of disabled ex servicemen and if any such vacancies still remain unfilled thereafter the same shall then be made available to ther ex-servicemen.

Question 3 : What is vertical reservation and what is horizontal reservation ?

ANSWER : Reservation for backward classes of citizens (SCs, STs and OBCs) is called vertical reservation and the reservation for ex-servicemen is called horizontal reservation. Horizontal reservation cuts across vertical reservation (in what is called inter-locking reservation) and persons selected against the quota for persons with disabilities have to be placed in the appropriate category viz. SC/ST/OBC/General Candidates depending upon the category to which they belong in the roster meant for reservation of SC/ST/OBCs. To illustrate, if in a given year there are two vacancies reserved for ex-servicemen and out of two ex-servicemen appointed, one belongs to a Scheduled Caste and the other to general category then the disabled SC candidate shall be adjusted against the SC point in the reservation roster and the general candidate against unreserved point in the relevant reservation roster. IN case none of the vacancies falls on point reserved for the SCs, the ex-servicemen belonging to SC shall be adjusted in future against the next available vacancy reserved for SCs.

Since the ex-servicemen have to be placed in the appropriate category viz. SC/ST/OBC/General in the roster meant for reservation of SC/ST/OBCs, the application form for the post should require the candidates applying under the quota reserved for ex-servicemen to indicate whether they belong to SC/ST/OBC or General category.

Question 4 : What is the definition of Ex-serviceman ?

ANSWER : The Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services and posts) Rules, 1979 as modified by the Gazette Notification dated 27th October, 1986, defines ex-serviceman as a person who has served in any rank whether as combatant or non combatant in a Regular Army, Navy and Air Force of the Indian union and

(i) Who retired from such service after earning his/her pension; or

(ii) Who has been released from such service on medical grounds attributable to military service or circumstances beyond his control and awarded medical or other disability pension; or

(iii) Who has been released, otherwise than on his own request, from such service as a result of reduction in establishment; or

(iv) Who has been released from such service after completing the specific period of engagements, otherwise than at his own request or by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency, and has been given a gratuity; and includes personnel of the Territorial Army of the following categories , namely :

(a) Pension holders for continuous embodies service

(b) Pensions with disability attributable to military service; and

(c) Gallantry award winners.

As per the clarification issued in the Notification No. 36034/5/85-Estt (SCT) dated 27.3.1987 any person who has been released upto 30th June, 1987 –

(A) At his own request after completing 5 years’ service in the Armed Forces of the Union; or

(B) After serving for a continuous period of six months after attestation, otherwise at his own request or by way of dismissal or discharge on account of mis conduct or inefficiency or has been transferred to the reserve pending such release;

Shall also deemed to be an ex-servicemen.

Question 5 : What are the relaxations/concessions available to the Ex-serviceman ?

ANSWER : For appointment to vacancies in any Group C or Group D Posts in Central Government, an ex-serviceman shall be allowed to deduct the period of actual military service from his actual age and if the resultant age does not exceed the maximum age limit prescribed for the post for which he is seeking appointment by more than three years, he shall be deemed to satisfy the condition regarding age limit.

The upper age limit shall be relaxed by the length of military service increased by three years in the cse of ex-servicemen and commissioned officers including ECOs/SSCOs for appointment to any vacancy in group A and Group B services/posts filled by direct recruitment otherwise than on the results of an open all India Competitive Examination held by the UPSC.

For appointment to any vacancy in group A and Group B services/posts filled by direct recruitment on the results of an All India Competitive Examination held by the UPSC ex-servicemen and commissioned officers including ECOs/SSCOs who have rendered at least 5 years military service and have been released (1) on completion of assignment (including those whose assignment is due to be completed within 1year) otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency, or (2) on account of physical disability attributable to military service or on invalidment, shall be allowed maximum relaxation of five years in the upper age limit.

Relaxation in educational Qualifications : For appointment to any reserved vacancy in group C Posts, the appointing authority may, at its discretion, relax the minimum educational qualification, where such qualification prescribed is a pass in the Middle School education or any lower examination, in favour of ex servicemen who have put in at least 3 years service in the Armed Forces of the Union and who are otherwise considered fit and suitable for appointment to such posts, in view of their experience and other qualifications.

For appointment to any reserved vacancy in Group C Posts, to be filled partly by direct recruitment and partly by promotion or transfer where the minimum qualification or technical qualification prescribed for appointment by direct recruitment is higher than that prescribed for promotes or transferees, an Ex-servicemen shall be deemed to satisfy the prescribed education or technical qualification if he;

(i) Satisfied the education or technical qualification prescribed for direct recruitment to the post from which promotion or transfer to the post in question is allowed, and

(ii) Has identical experience of work in a similar discipline and for the same number of years in the Armed Forces of the Union, as prescribed for promotes or transferees.

Question 6 : Is the benefit of reservation available to the ex-serviceman, who has already joined a civil appointment ?

ANSWER : An ex-servicemen who has already secured employment under the Central Government in Groups C and D will be permitted the benefit of age relaxation as prescribed for ex-servicemen for securing another employment in a higher grade or cadre in Group C and D under the Central Government. However, such candidate will not be eligible for the benefit of reservation for ex servicemen in the Central Government jobs.

Question 7: Can a vacancy reserved for ex-serviceman be filled by General candidate?

ANSWER : No Vacancy reserved for ex-servicemen in a post to be filled otherwise than on the results of an open competitive examination shall be filled by the appointing authority by any general candidate, until and unless that the said authority;

(i) Has obtained a “non availability Certificate” from the employment exchange (where a requisition is placed on an employment exchange)

(ii) Has verified the non availability of a suitable candidate by reference to the Director General Resettlement and recorded a certificate to that effect; and

(iii) has obtained approval of the Government.

In case of number of posts reserved fore ex-servicemen is not filled by candidates whoa re ex-servicemen the number of posts not so filled can be added to the number of posts falling to the share of ex-servicemen in the next year. However, addition will be subject to adjustments with the reservation available for the other categories in accordance with the general policy of the Government and also subject to the upper ceiling and 50 % of the total vacancies being reserved.

This is regarding clarification on the following item proposed for discussion in the JCM.

Item : Incentive to Mailoverseers for procuring RPLI Business.

Clarification : Rule 5(22) of Post Office Insurance Rules, 2011 defines that “marketing staff” is an official or person who is authorized by the Postmaster-General or Head of Division to procure Postal Lie Insurance and Rural Postal Life Insurance business. The marketing staff includes IPOs, ASPOs, ASRMs, Ex.DO(PLI), PRI(P), Postmasters, Selected Postal Assistant, Postman, Retired GDS BPM, DO(PLI), Field Officer(PLI), SRM (Rural S.O), GDS staff and also includes Direct Agents such as Anganwadi worker, Mahila Mandal worker, Ex-Serviceman, Retired school teacher, SHGs, Gram Pradhkan & Member Gram Panchayat and any other official/persons as considered suitable by the Head of Postal Division. As such, if Mailoverseer is engaged- depending upon suitability in procuring RPLI business/policies, he also entitled for incentive as par with other Departmental officials.

As you are aware the L1, L2 concept has been implemented in RMS w.e.f. 15.02.2012. Almost one and a half month is over now. During the January 2012 strike discussions, it was assured that any issues arising out of implementation of the L1, L2 concept, will be discussed with the staff side. Earlier when speed post hub system was introduced a committee under your chairpersonship has been constituted by the Directorate with Secretary General of NFPE and FNPO and staff side has been given enough opportunity to submit and discuss the problems relating to speed post hub system. Finally the following consensus was also arrived at.

(a)Wherever required, more intra – circle hubs will be opened. Chief PMG’s have been directed to submit proposals. Staff side also submitted its proposal.

(b)Regarding the change of administrative jurisdiction to RMS Superintendents, instructions were issued to the Chief PMGs to decide the issue at their own level.

Based on the above decisions most of the issues relating to speed post hub could be settled, but still in some circles the Chief PMGs have not taken any result-oriented action. This needs further discussions at Directorate level.

Now after implementation of L1, L2 many issues have cropped up which are to be discussed urgently for finding out remedial measures. Based on the experience at field level during the last one and a half month period, the staff side submit the following suggestions for immediate discussion and settlement with regard to L1, L2.

(a)There is an urgent need to convert certain existing L2 hubs into L1 in each circle. Similarly the necessity of opening of some new L1 hub at some new locations is also required. The staff side is ready to submit its proposal.

(b)Regarding closing of bags direct bags are to be closed from L2 to the L1 (to which it is mapped) and also to all other L2 offices under the same L1, to avoid delay and accumulation for mails at L1.

(c)Direct bags are to be closed from all L1 to all other L2 (under other L1) also to avoid delay and heavy accumulation of mails at L1 offices.

(d)Inspite of oral and written assurance given by Secretary, Department of Posts, certain CPMGs/PMGs are trying to transfer the staff outside their headquarters. Clear instructions should be issued to all CPMGs/PMGs to avoid transfer of staff outside their headquarters without request.

In view of the above, we request you to

(i)either to revive the MNOP committee constituted under the chairmanship of Member (Operations) and hold discussion with staff side to arrive at a concensus.

(ii)or to hold discussion with the staff side at your level.

This may be done at an early date.

We hope that through mutual discussions most of issues arising out of implementation of L1, L2 and remaining issues regarding speedpost hubs can be resolved amicably.

Sub: - Undue delay in settlement of agreed items on the Charter of Demands.

A kind attention is invited to the discussions we had during strike Charter of demands and also further assurances to us that unlike in the past whatever assured during discussions will be implemented without any delay.

But to our dismay, many of the assured items are still not disposed of favourably and even the clarifications assured to be issued are still pending. Further it is learnt that the Internal Finance is rejecting the assurances given by Minister for state for communication and also the Secretary, Department of Posts. which causes a serious concern. The following are the few items in which categorical assurance had been ensured in the minutes of the meeting and also during discussions.

1.Separate orders communicating the decision that no mail office will be closed for next three years and no dislocation of staff to places outside headquarters.

2.Orders communicating the decisions about no closure/merger of Post offices if no simultaneous relocation is possible.

3.Revision of wages to casual labourers & absorption.

4.Revised recruitment Rules for Group D & Postman as agreed and syllabus for Group ‘D’ examination (25% from GDS) & Postmen/Mailguard.

5.Revision of cash handling norms to GDS & ensuring no reduction of TRCA under any circumstances and enhancing the Bonus ceiling to 3500/- & revise the cash allowance to BPM at the rate of Rs.50/- per trip instead of month.

6.Orders revising the instructions liberalizing the powers to the divisional heads instead of circle heads in case of tenure posting to C and B Class offices.

7.Reiteration of earlier instructions on the Grant of Special pay to unqualified Accountants & Counting of Special Allowance for pay fixation without filling SLP against Bangalore High Court judgment.

8.Circulation of clarification given to Punjab circle to the remaining circles also in respect of protection of pay of defunct PO & RMS Accountants.

9.Orders on forcible allotment of staff quarters to the town SOs SPMs as post attached quarters.

10.Non supply of balance statement of NPS to the official as on 31.03.2011.

11.Enhancement of financial powers to LSG, HSG II & HSG I.

12.Enhancing the honorarium for invigilators engaged in departmental examinations.

22.Reiteration of instructions for rotational transfer for SBCO staff by notifying cluster of divisions.

23.Issue instructions to all for ensuring filling up of all sanctioned LR posts.

24.Prompt grant of child care leave – Issue of instructions.

25.Clarifications to be issued on MACP as agreed upon on the following:

(i)MACP will not be deferred on the ground at contemplated disciplinary/vigilance proceedings.

(ii)Instructions on review of ACRs/APARs by scrutiny committees.

(iii)Recovery orders by DAP in the matter of pay fixation on MACP in case of MTS

(iv)Cases relating to declining promotion prior to issue of MACP order (Prior to 2009)

26.Issuing clear instructions to all Chief PMGs that in the city areas where RO/Cos are situated decentralisation of RPLI/PLI should not be done to city Postal Divisions, instead the work will be done by RO/CO staff as done before.

27.Issuing orders on the items finalized by the Postmen committee and also follow up action on certain items to be referred to work study unit.

28.Cadre-restructuring and settlement of Group D and sorter anomaly issues relating to Postal Accounts.

29.Follow up action on civil wing employees issues.

30.Examination of CRC & EPP norms.

Apart from the above, the minutes of the standing committee (JCM) and also the reply to the items already discussed in the strike charter but included on JCM items are yet to be issued.

It is constrained to inform that in the event of non settlement of the above items within one month we have decided to observe one day token fast in front of Directorate by all the General Secretaries.

We trust that your will effectively intervene and maintain tranquility in service.

No Railway Mail Service in (RMS) office has been closed in the country. However, merger or physical relocation of some offices with other RMS offices has been carried out as part of operational needs. Detail of merged/ physically relocatedoffices are given in the following table.

Details of RMS Offices Merged/ Physically Relocated

S. No.

Name of RMS Office

Merged or Physically relocated

Merged/ Physically relocated with (Name of office)

City

State

1.

TD Sorting, Bangalore

Merged

Bangalore City RMS

Bangalore

Karnataka

2.

CRC Museum Road, Bangalore

Merged

Registration Centre, Bangalore City RMS

Bangalore

Karnataka

3.

Hyderabad Air Sorting, Hyderabad

Merged

Hyderabad Sorting

Hyderabad

Andhra Pradesh

4.

GDK Sorting, Delhi

Merged

Automated Mail Sorting Centre, Delhi

Delhi

Delhi

5.

Delhi RMS (Unregistered)

Merged

Automated Mail Sorting Centre, Delhi

Delhi

Delhi

6.

Delhi International Mail Centre

Physically relocated

Foreign Post, Delhi

Delhi

Delhi

The employees working in the RMS offices which have been merged/ physically relocated are working at the new location in the same city. This information was given in Lok Sabha today by Shri Sachin Pilot,Minister of State, Communication and Information Technology in response to a question.